Moving sidewalk



April 18, 1967 w KARR 3,314,517

5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR' WILLIS FORD KARR BY MA MAM ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1965 INVENTOR WILLIS FORD KARR BY A ATTORNEY April 18, 1967 w. F. KARR 3,314,517

MOVING SIDEWALK Filed Jan. 4, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.6

INVENTOR WILLIS FORD KARR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,314,517 MOVING SIDEWALK Willis Ford Kari, Warren, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Federal Engineering Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Jan. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 423,267 3 Claims. (Cl. 198-16) This invention relates to conveyors and more particularly to so-called moving sidewalks which constitute powered conveyor sections adapted to move people along the horizontal or up or down inclines.

The utility of powered sidewalks for moving pedestrians between separated areas is readily apparent. Particularly in public places such as airports and other transportation terminals, retail shopping centers and theatres, such devices provide many important advantages aside from their convenience to the pedestrian. First, they create greater architectural freedom in the planning of such public places. For example, the sizes of certain shopping centers and air terminals are practically limited by the maximum comfortable distance that a pedestrian can walk between extreme borders of the place. The use of powered sidewalks greatly expands the area conveniently available for the construction of such buildings. Another advantage lies in the increase in the density of pedestrian flow which is achievable with moving sidewalks. In transportation terminals such as subways, the use of moving sidewalks allows a higher density of pedestrian traffic to be achieved and this allows the use of smaller passageways to accommodate the same number of pedestrians. A third advantage is the ability to channel pedestrian flow. For example, in a shopping center, it is desirable to move pedestrians past many as display areas as is convenient and comfortable. The use of a moving sidewalk as a perimeter belt transportation system would provide means for carrying shoppers past a maximum number of retail displays.

The present invention therefore contemplates a conveyor of the moving sidewalk type which provides the above advantages. It is particularly addressed to such a device which takes a unique form and provides many adjunct advantages.

One of the important aspects of the present invention lies in its utilization of a number of relatively short closed loop conveyor sections to provide pedestrian travel between a plurality of separated terminals. Each short section takes the form of a continuous chain section providing pedestrian platforms for movement in either direction along the course of the conveyor. The short sections are joined by stationary platforms. A pedestrian desiring to travel the entire length of the system is thus required to walk across the stationary platforms at intervals along his journey. This feature provides the pedestrian with regular reminders of his motion and prevents him from losing the sense of motion as commonly occurs when a long continuous conveyor section is employed. By preserving the sense of motion, the safety of the final exit from the conveyor is greatly enhanced, and it is not necessary to provide special means for decelerating the pedestrians at the conveyor end. The spaced stationary sections also allow pedestrian movement across and transverse to the path of the moving sidewalk. Such a feature is particularly important in shopping malls where the pedestrian traflic does not all follow a specific route. It also allows the passengers to enter or alight from the 3,314,517 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 sidewalk at any of a plurality of points while maintaining necessary guard rails between these points.

The use of a plurality of relatively short closed loop conveyor sections allows devices formed in accordance with the present invention to be manufactured in standard lengths and assembled into multiple unit groupings for use in a particular application. The economy which results from this feature is enhanced by the fact that units formed in accordance with the present invention are adapted to be superimposed upon existing pedestrian paths without any special preparation. The conveyor sections are raised above and supported on the existing paths and the stationary platforms which join successive sections include short inclined ramps extending between the conveyor level and the surrounding pavement level. These ramps extend transversely to the central line of motion of the conveyor on both sides so that a pedestrian desiring to cross the platform simply walks up one side, across a horizontal section, and down the other side. The entire mechanism for a conveyor section is packaged in a relatively low, long unit which is entirely prefabricated and simply lies on the top of the existing pedestrian path.

The use of relatively short conveyor sections allows the formation of networks of moving sidewalks consisting of one or more sections with a junction between all lines consisting of the stationary platforms. That is, a platform may extend between the ends of more than two connecting sections so that a pedestrian entering the platform from one section or first ascending the platform from the surrounding pavement may be provided with a plurality of possible routes from that platform.

Each conveyor section formed in accordance with the present invention includes an enclosed chain member ar rayed between a pair of gears disposed at opposite ends of the conveyor section path. One of the gears is motor driven and one is provided with biased takeup means for accommodating variations in the free length of the chain which may occur as a function of load or variations in temperature. Each chain link is joined to its adjacent links by a universal joint mechanism which allows for movement of the link in a direction transverse to the direction of the chain. Each link supports a pedestrian platform on its upper side. The platforms are preferably rectangular. The entire straightaway in both direction between the gears provides the pedestrian travel section and in these sections the chains move in straight lines and the platform edges are parallel to one another, although, in other embodiments of the invention the conveyor sec tions may be curved by providing additional gears or other guide means along its length. The return sections at either end are disposed under the stationary platform ramps and in these sections alternate chain links are moved transversely to the normal link path by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the platforms so that the plaforms may stack above and below each other as they curve around the gear section. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this elevation of alternate links is simply achieved by providing an even number of teeth on the driving gears and staggering the gear teeth with respect to one another so that alternate ones move chain links transversely as they engage them. The shafts for the driving gear and the return gear extend normally to the stationary platforms about the platform area. At their upper edges, they engage a moving handrail which is thus caused to move in timed relation to the pedestrian platforms. The area between the opposed straightaway section is built up above the level of the platforms to provide a separation. This separation supports the handrail and also provides an enclosed volume which may be used for showcases, package storage areas, or similar purposes. The lower edge of the separation carries a lip on each side which is preferably coated with a low friction surface and supports one of the edges of each of the pedestrian platforms. The opposite edge of each platform is supported by a similar lip which extends above the base of the conveyor unit.

As the moving sidewalk may be employed in exposed areas, means are provided to maintain the temperature of the platform high enough to prevent the collection of snow or ice. In the preferred embodiment this is achieved by heating elements which are disposed along the lips that support the pedestrian platforms. These elements radiate heat to the platforms and warm the surrounding air sufiiciently to prevent ice and snow formation.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention, which is also subsequently described, employs upright members which extend from the pedestrian platforms and act as both backrests and package supports. These upright members are designed so that they also act as handrails in assisting pedestrians on and off the conveyor section.

It is therefore seen to be a primary object of the present invention to provide a pedestrian conveyor of the moving sidewalk type which consists of a number of relatively short elongated closed conveyor sections providing travel in both directions and joined by stationary platforms which extend over the return ends of adjacent conveyor sections.

A further object is to provide such a moving sidewalk wherein more than two conveyor sections may be connected to a single stationary platform to provide a plurality of pedestrian paths.

A further object is to provide such a conveyor wherein the short sections are standardized and may be supported on a preexisting pedestrian surface and the stationary platforms include ramps extending between the level of the conveyor and the surrounding pedestrian levels.

Still another object is to provide such a conveyor wherein each conveyor section consists of a plurality of platforms supported on links of an enclosed chain which is driven between a pair of end gears.

Another object of the present invention is to provide conveyor sections to the above type wherein raised separations are provided between the adjacent straightaway sections. Such separations being adapted to support a moving handrail and provide storage and display area. further object is to provide such a conveyor wherein means are provided for maintaining pedestrian platforms at such an elevated temperature as to prevent the formation or collection of snow and ice.

4 ends showing the manner of stackup of the pedestrian platforms; and

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view of a pedestrian platform formed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein an upright member serves as a backrest and extends from pedestrian platform.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 pictorially illustrates one complete section of moving sidewalk conveyor, generally indicated at 10 and its intersections with the ends of several other sections generally indicated at 12, 14 and 16. The length of the particular conveyor section is a variable, depending upon particular applications and manufacturing convenience; however, a single segment, used in connection with the preferred embodiment, is approximately 40 feet long. It will be noted that each end of a sidewalk section terminates in a stationary platform, the platform joining the sections 10 and 16 being generally indicated at 18 and the section joining the ends of three segments 10, 12 and 14 being generally indicated at 20. The stationary platforms serve as terminals for the sidewalk and connect the short segments, and a pedestrian, traversing a length of sidewalk which includes several shorter sections, is required to walk across the platforms between the conveyor sections. The advantages of this have been generally noted and will be elucidated in the following description.

Each conveyor section includes a plurality of pedestrian platforms 22. The platforms are rectangular in the preferred embodiment, although they might take some other shape in other embodiments of the invention. The platforms are arranged in closed loop sections comprised of two parallel, elongated straight sections generally indicated at 24 joined at each of their ends by curved return sections 26. In general, the stationary platforms such as 18 and 20 completely cover the return end sections 26 of the conveyor so that only the straightaway portions 24 are exposed.

As is best shown in FIGURE 5, each of the platforms 22 is affixed to the top of a chain link member 30. These links are generally trunnion shaped and include vertical pins 32 at one end. Each pin carries a first connecting element 34 which is free to swing in a horizontal direction with respect to the link. The other end of each first connecting element 34 is joined to a second connecting ele- Still further object is to provide such a conveyor wherein at least certain of the pedestrian platforms include backrest and passenger support upright members.

Other objects, advantages and application of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a section of moving sidewalk, including several standardized, relatively short conveyor sections, joined by stationary platforms;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the drive end of one of the conveyors taken on line 2-2 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the driven pulley of one of the standardized conveyor sections taken along lines 313 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through the driven pulley taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed view of a few links of the conveyor chain;

FIGURE 6 is a top view through one of the conveyor ment 36 by a horizontal pin which allows pivoting movement in a vertical plane. The far end of each second connecting element 36 is joined by pin 38 to the next link member 30. This pin 38 is also disposed horizontally and allows movement of the link 36 in the vertical plane. The result is a chain with links joined by universal joint elements which will allow motion in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The horizontal motion is used to obtain the curves in the chain at the end sections 26, while the vertical movement is employed to stagger the pedestrian platforms 22 while moving through the end sections so that they may stack one on top of the other. This motion is necessary so that the adjacent edges of the pedestrian platforms 22 may immediately abut one another in the straightaway sections 24 and may still traverse the end sections 26 without interfering with one another.

One end section 26 of each conveyor is powered by a driven end, generally indicated at 40, shown in FIGURE 2. The other end of each conveyor section turns about the passive end generally indicated at 42, disclosed in FIGURES 3 and 4. The driving end 40 includes a gear member 44 which has a diameter equal to the distance between the two straightaway sections of the conveyor 24. The chain links 30 mesh with the teeth 46 of the gear 44 (FIGURE 5 It will be noted that the teeth 46 of the gear are staggered with respect to one another with alternate teeth raised with respect to the adjacent two teeth. When these raised teeth enter the alternate chain link members 30, they cause the link member to be raised above the height of the adjacent link members by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the platform 22. This staggers the platforms with respect to one another and allows them to extend over and under one another during their curved path as is best shown in FIG- URE 6. A similar tooth arrangement exists on the driven gear member 50 which is disposed at the end 42.

An entire conveyor section is self-contained and disposed above an existing grade level 52 on a flat base 54 which has upturned side members 56. The side members 56 extend normal-1y to the base 54 and to the supporting surface 52. At their upper ends, they carry in-turned side members 58 which terminate in recessed supporting lips 60. The lip members 60 are coated on their upper sides with a low friction material such as Teflon. The lip members are down-turned with respect to the side members 58 by approximately the thickness of a pedestrian platform 22. The outer edge of each of the pedestrian platforms rests on the upper side of the members 60 throughout the straightaway. The inner sides of each of the pedestrian platforms 22 is supported on a similarly coated lip member 62 which extends from a center platform 64 having the same height as the side panels 58. The center platform 64 is supported on blocks 67 which rest on the base 54 in the straightaway section.

The center platform 64 also supports a pair of space vertical walls 66 which extend parallel to the straightaway sections and form a central separation. The tops of the wall 66 are joined by a cover member 68. A curved end member 70 completes the separation. The driving end gear 44 is journalled on a vertical shaft 76 supported in a lower bearing member 78 affixed to the base 54 and an upper bearing member 80 supported below the top plate 68 of the separation. Similarly, the driven gear 50 at the other end of each conveyor section is journalled on a vertical shaft 82 which has one end journalled in the bearing 84 that is supported atop a slide plate 86 and the other end supported in a bearing 88 which extends downwardly under cover member 68 of the separation at the opposite end.

At the driven end 40 a gear 90 is affixed to the vertical shaft 76 directly above the bearing member 78. A belt 92 drives this gear from a motor 94. Appropriate control means (not shown) of.any well known type may be employed to control the operation of the motor.

At the driven end 42 the support plate 86 is retained in a set of ways 96 for sliding motion along the direction of extension of the straightaway sections. This sliding motion acts as a takeup for variations which occur in the length of the chain for various reasons, including changing loads. The top bearing 88 for the shaft 82 is similarly journalled in a set of ways 98, to accommodate the sliding motion.

The entire shaft assembly 82 is biased in a direction away from the driving end by a hydraulic motor 100 which powers a rack 102 through a geared output 104. The rack is formed on the end of a push rod 106 having its other end connecting to bearing 84. A hydraulic accumulator 108 is connected to the motor 100 by closed piping 111. That is, the fluid circuit comprising the motor 100 and hydraulic accumulator 108 and its connecting circuitry is a closed one and the hydraulic motor 100 is continually urged in such a direction as to cause the push rod to move the shaft 82 away from the driving shaft 76. A motion of the shaft 82 toward the driving shaft 86 causes motor 100 to pump the fluid into the accumulator 108 and this motion is thus reacted against by the resultant buildup in hydraulic pressure.

The stationary platforms such as 18 and 20, which cover the curved portion of the conveyor drive, each include a flat horizontal platform member 110 having edges which extend under the curved end members of the separation at a level just above that of the tops of platforms 22. Gently inclined ramps 112 connect the sides of the platforms with the surrounding grade level so that pedestrians may ascend to and alight from the sidewalk by means of the ramps.

In order to prevent the accumulation of ice or snow on the pedestrian platforms 22 appropriate heating members are positioned below the side plates 58 and run along the length of the straightaway sections. These heating elements may be electrical, as in the preferred embodiment, or alternatively they may carry a heated fluid. They heat the upper surfaces of the platforms 22 by conduction, radiation and convection in order to maintain the surfaces free of frozen matter.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a form of backrest which may be supported on a platform 22 for use on extra long connecting sections. It includes a tapered upright member which carries a backrest member 132 at its upper side. A container 134 is attached to the back of the upright member 130 and may be used to carry packages or other articles. A hand grip member 136 afiixed to the outer side of the backrest 132 assists pedestrian in ascending and alighting from the conveyor. When such upright members are employed, the curved end sections of the conveyor must not be covered by the stationary platforms.

It is also contemplated that in the preferred embodiment of the invention appropriate display areas or other storage areas be contained in the separations. For example the top member 68 might contain glass panels 138 to display articles to the pedestrians using the conveyor. The separation 66 is also equipped with a handrail 140 which is a continuous belt member supported by driving rings 142 and 144 attached to the shafts 76 and 82, re spectively. The handrails may be grasped by pedestrians while getting on the conveyor.

In other embodiments of the invention the conveyor sections also might be formed with curved straightaway sections. This could be accomplished either by placing a plurality of directing gear members in intervals along the straightaway or by providing other guiding elements. Alternatively, a plurality of straight sections could be joined in a curved configuration by joining them to the stationary platforms at angles 'with respect to one another.

It should be understood that the preferred embodiment disclosed herein is exemplary only and the invention should be considered to be limited only by the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A conveyor section comprising: a closed chain member arrayed between two curved return end sections, said chain having freedom in at least two perpendicular directions; rectangular pedestrian platforms attached to the top of the chain member at regular intervals so that the edges of one platform abut the edges of the adjacent platforms in the straightaway; a means for moving alternate platforms vertically in the end section so that the platforms may turn in the end sections without interfering with one another.

2. A pedestrian conveyor section, comprising: a pair of spaced gear members supported for rotation about vertical axes, each of said gear members having an even number of teeth with alternate teeth staggered in a vertical direction; means for powering one of said gear members; a closed chain member composed of a plurality of links having a freedom of movement with respect to one another along a pair of perpendicular axes, aid chain being between said gear means so as to form .an elongated straight-line path between said gears; and a plurality of pedestrian platforms attached to the chain at regular intervals, said platforms being rectangular and so spaced that two edges of one platform abut the edges of the adjacent platforms in the straightaway, said platforms having a thickness equal to or less than the vertical distance between the staggered gear teeth whereby said platforms extend one above the other in the end sections.

3. A pedestrian conveyor section, comprising: an elongated base member; side members extending normally upward from the long sides of said base member; lip members extending inwardly, toward one another, from the upper edges of said side members; an elongated central member disposed above the base between the side members; a pair of end sections disposed at opposite ends of the base; a closed chain member arrayed between said two end sections so that the two sides of said chain extend a pair of straightaway sections along the two paths between the in-turned lip members and the outer edges of the central member; a plurality of pedestrian platforms disposed on the upper side of said chain member with their edges supported on the in-turned edges of the side members and the outer edges of the central member so that the sides of one platform abut the adjacent sides of the two adjacent platforms in such straightaway sections; and means for driving said chain so as to move said platform members along the straightaway section.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,666,519 1/1954 Boots 19818l 2,689,638 9/1954 Mojonnier 198-189 2,862,599 12/1958 Sinden et a1. 3,151,726 10/ 1964 Nelson 198-204 X FOREIGN PATENTS 586,841 11/1959 Canada.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

R. E. KRISHER, A. C. HODGSON, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A CONVEYOR SECTION COMPRISING: A CLOSED CHAIN MEMBER ARRAYED BETWEEN TWO CURVED RETURN END SECTIONS, SAID CHAIN HAVING FREEDOM IN AT LEAST TWO PERPENDICULAR DIRECTIONS; RECTANGULAR PEDESTRIAN PLATFORMS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE CHAIN MEMBER AT REGULAR INTERVALS SO THAT THE EDGES OF ONE PLATFORM ABUT THE EDGES OF THE ADJACENT PLATFORMS IN THE STRAIGHTAWAY; A MEANS FOR MOVING ALTERNATE PLATFORMS VERTICALLY IN THE END SECTION SO THAT THE PLATFORMS MAY TURN IN THE END SECTIONS WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH ONE ANOTHER. 